Continued Efforts in the U.S. to Prevent Aircraft Sales to Iran

Reuters reported on Thursday, August 5, that lobbying efforts in the U.S. continue, including letters from several former 'security figures' aimed at preventing the sale of passenger aircraft to Iran. According to Reuters, these letters, sent 'last week' to the executives of Boeing and Airbus, were prepared by the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies, which opposes the nuclear agreement known as the JCPOA and advocates for tougher sanctions against the Islamic Republic. The letters have been signed by 42 individuals, including 'several former national security figures' of the United States. Among the signatories mentioned in the Reuters report are George Shultz, former Secretary of State, Michael Hayden, former CIA director, and Joseph Lieberman, former senator. The American aircraft manufacturer Boeing, alongside Airbus, is one of the two giants in the passenger aircraft manufacturing industry and announced a historic deal with Iran in early July as part of the nuclear agreement. If this deal for 200 passenger jets valued at approximately $50 billion goes through, it would be the largest commercial contract between Iran and the U.S. since the 1979 revolution. However, contracts from these two companies have faced opposition from Republicans in the U.S. from the outset, who argue that the Islamic Republic might use the passenger aircraft it purchases to transport weapons. The recent letters sent to the executives of the two companies reiterate this point. The letters state: 'This deal... legitimizes a government that supports terrorism and directly serves the interests of a regime that has a record of gross human rights violations and support for terrorism, including threats against the U.S. and its allies.' Currently, the U.S. Treasury Department is reviewing these contracts to determine their compliance with the JCPOA and to ensure that the contracts do not violate existing sanctions against Tehran. In this context, Reuters cites 'aviation industry experts' suggesting that the department may postpone its decision on whether to approve or disapprove the sale of aircraft to Iran until after the upcoming U.S. elections in the fall. However, even if the U.S. Treasury Department approves the Boeing and Airbus contracts, Congress, which is controlled by a Republican majority, could pass legislation to block their implementation. The House of Representatives, also under Republican control, passed two new amendments in mid-July aimed at preventing the sale of Boeing passenger aircraft to Iran. These two amendments must first be approved by the U.S. Senate and then signed by Barack Obama, who has stated in several interviews and statements that he will veto any law that undermines the implementation of the JCPOA.